Tongue Tie - Lakewood CO Frenectomy / Frenulotomy
Tongue tie, also known as Ankyloglossia (Lingual Frenectomy), is caused by a frenulum that is unusually small and attaches too close to the tip of the tongue, restricting movement.
It can cause the following issues:
- Difficulty with nursing and eating
- Difficulty opening mouth
- Difficulty speaking
- Difficulty swallowing
- Trouble with oral self-cleaning, which can lead to inflamed gums and the need for periodontal treatment
- Pain or clicking in jaw
- Protrusion of lower jaw
It is critical that the tongue has enough movement to allow for successful nursing. A tongue knot may prevent a newborn from latching on to the breast properly, past the nipple and onto the areola. The nipple is pushed against the baby's hard palate, causing nipple pain for the mother. Because of incorrect latching, the infant may not be able to latch on long enough to take in a whole meal, or may simply not take in enough milk. For the most part, tongue knots do not impede bottle feeding because a bottle nipple allows milk to stream into the mouth with less effort than breastfeeding. The problem is treated with a frenectomy, which restores normal tongue range and mobility. This will assist a newborn to latch for nursing and will aid in the development of a child's speech.
How is a Tongue Tie Surgery performed?
When a tongue's mobility is constrained, it is said to be bound. However, not all ties are problematic or need to be fixed. A properly qualified practitioner can conduct an examination and make a diagnosis. Even though a baby looks to have a tongue tie, the diagnosis is made on the basis of function and movement rather than appearance.
The tissue or tight frenulum under the tongue is removed during a frenectomy, often known as a tie correction. Previously, the area would have been sedated and the frenum would have been removed by an incision. The incision was then closed using dissolvable stitches. The treatment would take 15 to 60 minutes to complete, with a two- to four-week recuperation period. Lip Tie Surgery is another option.
Advantages of Laser Tongue Tie Surgery
Outpatient laser tongue-tie surgery is a minimally invasive treatment. The following are some of the advantages of laser treatment:
- Shorter treatment time - This is done in our office and usually takes only a few minutes. This short surgery is less traumatic for your infant and far safer because no sedation or general anaesthesia is required.
- Less painful - While it can still be uncomfortable, it is less traumatic than the usual approach of employing scissors. Because the pain from laser surgery is delayed rather than instantaneous, it is easier to manage than the pain from scissors surgery.
- No bleeding - because the laser burns the frenum, which joins the tongue or lip to the surrounding tissue. This is less painful and more precise. During and after the therapy, there is minimal to no bleeding.
- Shorter recovery time - Because there is no need for general anaesthesia or sedation, the recovery time is less than with standard surgery. In most circumstances, a topical numbing anaesthetic is all that is required to keep your baby comfortable. The majority of babies are able to nurse immediately following surgery.
- Minimal chance for reattachment - Reattachment is less likely with laser tongue and lip tie surgery because the membrane is removed more precisely, making reattachment less likely, especially when accompanied with the stretching exercises provided following.
Aftercare for Tongue Tie Surgery
Your kid should have little to no bleeding after a Tongue laser frenectomy. A small, diamond-shaped wound in white or yellow colour will appear a few days later, looking like a damp scab. The area may be uncomfortable for one or two days, but it should not prevent you from nursing. You will be given post-operative instructions, including exercises to prevent reattachment and enhance recovery. A week after the operation, a follow-up appointment is usually planned to ensure that everything is healing appropriately. </p>\s<p> What to expect during the first week of a regular recovery:
- Fussiness and crying in the first week
- Slight bleeding after stretching - a tiny bit of blood in the saliva is normal
- Trouble latching on, or inconsistent feedings - your baby is sore and re-learning to suck; this is normal and will improve. It can result in choking on milk or spitting up due to the increased milk flow
- More drooling and saliva
- Sleeping more, due to medication or even because your baby is eating better and more satisfied after
Call the doctor if any of these rare occurrences happen:
- Fever higher than 101.5 F
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Refusal to feed for more than 8 hours
Lakewood Tongue Tie Surgery Near Me
When it comes to deciding on surgery for their child or baby, parents are usually very apprehensive. Our team understands your concerns and is dedicated to providing the best possible treatment for you and your family. Come see for yourself why our patients adore us. We're here to ensure that your child and family have the best dental health and the most beautiful smiles possible.
FAQs
Do Tongue Ties Affect speech?
Due to the restriction of the tongue's movement, a tongue tie does not cause a speech delay or prevent speaking, although it can sometimes cause difficulty with pronunciation or articulation.
How long does a tongue tie cut take to heal?
Although most infants can breastfeed or feed right away following a laser tongue tie correction, complete healing can take up to 4 weeks. A grayish-white patch will appear in the incision area within 24 to 48 hours. In around two weeks, it will mend and revert to its previous state. To avoid reattachment, stretching exercises should be performed throughout this time.
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